Page 3356 - Week 11 - Thursday, 22 September 1994
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The development of endangered species legislation has also undergone an extensive community consultation process. The amendments will ensure the identification and protection of endangered native plants and animals, and I congratulate the Minister, Mr Bill Wood, on the hard work that he has done in this field. This Government's commitment to the protection of ecology communities is also evidenced by the most recent addition to the already impressive Canberra nature park scheme. A total of 740 hectares of open forest, lowland woodlands and native grasslands in Gungahlin is to be reserved as the Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. The diverse habitat types within the reserve have been shown to contain a range of rare and uncommon species of flora and fauna. The addition of Mulligans Flat to the reserve system will afford it the protection it warrants, whilst providing the residents of Gungahlin and the rest of the Canberra community with an excellent - I say excellent because I have been in that area - recreational and educational opportunity.
An important concern faced by our nature reserves managers is the control of invasive weed species. The recent report of the Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment recommended the development of a 10-year weed strategy. A decade approach is necessary, as virtually all troublesome weeds in the ACT require a maximum of eight to 10 years of control action before effective eradication can be expected. This Government is serious about protecting the extensive network of conservation reserves from threats such as invasive weeds, whilst also looking to develop management strategies which maximise their natural appeal to the community.
Mr Humphries: Are you talking about the button wrinklewort?
MRS GRASSBY: This is the report that has been handed down, yes. Last financial year the ACT Tourism Commission prepared for public comment an issues paper on the development of ecotourism in the ACT with the objective of establishing guidelines for the effective planning, development and management of sustainable tourism in natural areas. The commission, in conjunction with the ACT Parks and Conservation Service and community and tourism industry representatives, will be preparing the formulation of an ACT ecotourism policy in 1994-95.
Mr Stefaniak was at that meeting on the wetlands in the area of Belconnen. One of the things that came out of the meeting we held last week related to ecotourism in the area of Lake Ginninderra, at the top end beyond the bridge. The fauna and flora and fish species in that area could bring a lot of tourists to Canberra. I must say that it was a very successful meeting. Dr Bryan Pratt from the tackle shop in Belconnen immediately said that he would give $500 to get it started. So, there are many people out there in the community who believe in this area and want to keep it as beautiful as they can. They are prepared, as I said this morning, to put their money where their mouth is.
Another mechanism which the Government successfully uses to involve community action is the provision of direct grant funding. An environment grants program has been established to enable community groups to apply for funds in order to undertake worthwhile projects of an environment enhancement and rehabilitation nature.
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